College is full of opportunity, but one of the biggest perks is knowing that there's always restaurants near campus that cater to a college student's cravings and budget. The best time to indulge in such glorious places always seems to be late at night after a long night out. The University of Kentucky is a college student's dream when it comes to cheap, greasy food that fills every craving.
1. Cookout
Cookout's menu is legendary. Where else can you get other entrees and pass it off as sides? The Cookout Tray is college dining perfected. Cookout is the definition of good food for a cheap price, and their menu is diverse enough to fill any craving you may have. Honestly, Cookout often turns into a social gathering with all of the other late night munchers on campus.
2. Qdoba
Queso is always the right answer. It's just that simple. Mexican food can solve all of your problems, and it can be the perfect pick me up for any night that has taken a bad turn.
3. Tolly Ho
Tolly Ho's menu is filled with cheesy, greasy, fried food galore. Their fries selection alone is absolutely epic. There's french fries, cheese fries, chili cheese fries, bacon cheese fries, and epic fries that are topped with chili, bacon, jalapeños, and sour cream. That alone is enticing enough for me.
4. Mad Mushroom
If you've never ordered a large cheesestix after a long night out, you're missing out on an important life lesson. In theory, a large cheesestix can feed an entire dorm floor; but in reality, it's better off for one person and saved for the next morning.
5. Raising Cane's
Cane's chicken basket comes with their famous bread and Cane's sauce. Their tangy sauce is all the rage, even though it's probably glorified mayonnaise. No matter the ingredients, Cane's sauce pairs perfectly with fresh chicken tenders at any time of day.
6. Goodfellas Pizzeria
If you ever get tired of Mad Mushroom (is that even possible?), you can make your way to Goodfellas Pizzeria. What's a night out on campus without ending your night by indulging in a slice or two at the most delicious pizza place in Lexington?
7. Insomnia Cookies
This recent addition to UK's campus is possibly one of the best. Sugar cravings are extremely common, and Insomnia is the perfect cure. There is a variety of cookies to choose from to have delivered right to your door, and you can add milk or ice cream to your order to create the perfect late-night combination.
8. Red Bang Bang
Let's get one thing straight right away; Red Bang Bang selling their food for $1 per scoop is a college student's dream come true. The quality in food is surprisingly good for the price, and students come back time and time again. Chinese food always seems like the right answer, and the random cravings that pop up at night can be satisfied by Red Bang Bang.
9. McDonald's
McDonald's is a classic. The dollar menu has probably literally saved college students' lives. The super salty french fries combined with a questionable cheeseburger is a simple solution for a late night craving. UK also has a knack for making all red restaurants blue (which I love).
10. Taco Bell
Sometimes you simply feel the need to order three orders of fiesta potatoes along with your Crunch Wrap Supreme and cheese quesadilla. That's totally acceptable after a night out on UK campus. If you're out super late, it's important to know that Taco Bell starts serving their breakfast menu at 5 AM and a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit taco will be awaiting your arrival.
11. Ovid's
My freshman year, like many others, practically revolved around eating Ovid's. The many different stations were perfect for whatever I was in the mood for. While it was previously located in Willy T Library, it is now being renovated and placed in the new 90 that is opening at UK this fall. Best of all, Ovid's offers their breakfast menu late at night, which always sounds better than it actually does in the morning.
12. Jimmy John's
Jimmy John's is the go-to for when you're crunched for time. They're "freaky fast," and that pays off for when college students are between classes, going through spirit week before sorority recruitment, or when you're just flat out starving. If you're lucky, your bike delivery guy will turn out to be a major hottie that asks for your number. Can you say soulmate?
13. Sonic
There's something truly pleasing about a server on roller skates bringing your food directly to your car. Sonic's hot dogs, coney dogs, and corn dogs are the perfect late-night fix.
